The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-27

Mr. W. Van Bcnthuys,n, Charles 7.
Huntington, and Others, who have been
here Tor the past two weeks, for the pur-
pose OF investigating and, II possible, per-
lecting plans for the building Of much
needed bridge over the river at this point,
left for their homes yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Van Bcnthuvsen was seen ut the Pea
body hotel q few minutes before he left for
the train, and on being asked II lac would
tell TuE APPEAL what had been the result
Of his important visit, or 40 much of il rs
he was willing 10 make public, said:
81 viii tell you this much: an organiza-
ton has been perfected, aud the people Of
Memphis are going 10 have bridge over
their great river much earlier than they
expect.
who is the president Of the compa-
nirs!'
81 am"
Continuing. he said: "The companies
having the right from Congress to build a
bridge over the Mississippi river at Mem
phis are under the control Of the same
persons who rCurginizcd and established
the Poughkccpsic bridge company, which
is now building the longest bridge in this
country over the Hudson river at Pough-
kcepsic. This bridge IL two-ihirds COM
plctcd and paid for, and the money is on
hand 10 complete IL in every particular
Contracts viii he made Immediately for
the Memphis bridge. " courso pie,s
cannot bc put in until the
next low water, ~ the cnis,ons
could not he put down in the face Of rise
in the river, but all the preliminary work
,..tn -
that efforts will he made b. secure another
act Of Congress for some railroad which
wishes 10 build bridge. Railroads do not
build bridges Of this nature, and you will
find that any attempt Of this kind will be
under separate charters from any railroad
you have here. We have the
good will of some OF the railroad
companies ccniering here, aud may
have the good will Of I'll for nnght ! know
TO the contrary. II will certainly be- our
interest aud effort to obtain the good will
Of all Of them, and feel assured we will
be- able 70 do ~ from the high character
and distinguished ability oi the gentlemen
controlling the roads ccntcring here. some
oi whom | know personally, aud who
have already expressed a willingness Ia
effect Traffic contracts for business over the
bridge. We ar not here 10 interfere with
any Interest. The bridge will bc Tor the
impartial benefit 81 all, and there can be-
no controversy about tolls, ~ the Secretary
OF War IL the arbitcr on that question"
"Will you give me some idea Of what
the dimensions oi the bridge will bc?'
"Ihr bridge here will have two spans,
not lcs. than $50 feet IN the clear the
length ui the others Is not yet determined
and be- 90 feet above high water mark.
The yiaduci on the opposite side Of the
river will be- not lrss than $500 feet in
length. Il has taken q long time to Az
ungr some legal difficulties, nll uf which
have been removed. 4 bridge like
this Is o great Undertaking, and
COSTS lots Ui money, but there
will b. no difficulty nbout that.
The Pourhkcopic bridge, NJ which |
spoke n moment ago, Ga one II the grand
est structures IT ils kind IN the world
Il posses cntirly over plri 81 the city, M
well as the river, and the bridge, yilduct
and approaches arr nearly four miles long
The Memphis bridge will be- considerably
over one mile long. have not time to
say more, for must get pady Tor the
tTiiu.'